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The official word: ABC’s hit TV series, “Revenge,” introduced Emily Thorne (portrayed by Emily VanCamp) and her complex mission. The show’s storyline has hinted at Emily’s covert training on remote Rebun Island with master Takeda. Now, from a member of the show’s team, comes Schooled in Revenge (Hyperion Trade Paperback and eBook | August 20, 2013 | $14.99), the first full-length original novel that immerses readers into that training, as a new vengeance-thirsty heroine seeks out Takeda’s guidance to learn how to right terrible wrongs.

Meet Ava Winters, young, beautiful and the heiress to Napa's prized Starling Vineyards. Ava is also in love with the perfect guy -- at least that's what she thinks until he helps take away everything that was once hers. With no place to turn, Ava goes to Rebun Island, where she trains to be mentally and physically strong enough to take revenge. On the island, Ava meets Emily Thorne, who has recently returned; Emily shares her wisdom with Ava about the importance of seeking justice in a world where enemies thrive.

Jon Pertwee was the third doctor in the series. The official word on that set and another Pertwee adventure coming to DVD:

On August 13, 2013, leading up to the highly anticipated Doctor Who 50th Anniversary, BBC Home Entertainment is celebrating another landmark: the first classic Doctor Who story ever to be released on Blu-Ray. Doctor Who: Spearhead From Space achieved many firsts long before its high definition debut: it was the first story of Jon Pertwee’s tenure as the Third Doctor, was the first Doctor Who story to be presented in color, and the first to be shot entirely on film. Now it’s making history once again as the first classic Doctor Who Blu-ray, made possible by scanning in the original film elements to create a stunning, true high definition picture.

The movie prompted almost immediate release of related T-shirts and such. But this is the licensed stuff, coming to stores:

Syfy and The Asylum today announced the first ever Sharknado merchandising program with Earthbound LLC, a leading direct to retail and brand licensing agency, which will extend the Sharknado pop culture and social media phenomenon into a wide range of potential merchandise, from fashion tees, bags, posters, accessories and costumes to gaming, among other areas.

The official word, with schedule: Cinema at the Square kicks off this Thursday in PlayhouseSquare’s historic Palace Theatre for its 16th summer with fifteen of Hollywood’s most iconic hits making their return to the BIG screen, August 1-18. The Series’ star-studded lineup features the likes of Sean Connery, Molly Ringwald, Angela Lansbury, Charlton Heston, Jimmy Stewart and many more of Cinema’s elite – Tickets are on sale now for just $5!

It's based on the award-winning, and important book. A few years ago, when I was taking a course on teaching books for middle-schoolers, "Watsons" was one of the titles we worked with. I still have a copy at hom.

The official word: Every now and then, a television program comes along that has the power to both entertain and enlighten. Such is the case with “The Watsons Go To Birmingham,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie, produced in partnership with Walden Media, that reflects upon and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement; and in particular, focuses on the love, light and courage that transformed one of America’s darkest periods. “The Watsons Go To Birmingham,” which premieres exclusively on Hallmark Channel, Friday, September 20 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C), is a remarkable family story that will make you laugh, cry and think through incredible storytelling.

The official word: Following the positive response to its first set of TV pilots, Amazon Studios today announced it will produce five more original pilots for kids, including the first pilots for ages 6-11. The new pilots come from Emmy Award-winning creators as well as a Hollywood newcomer discovered though Amazon Studios’ open-door submission process. The pilots will stream on Amazon Instant Video and LOVEFiLM in the U.K. for customers to watch, provide feedback, and help determine which shows should be produced as series.

“We're very excited to be able to introduce these five original ideas and their talented creators to Amazon customers. After the success of our first pilots, we look forward to getting lots more fantastic feedback from kids and parents,” said Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios. “For the first time we are offering live-action and animated programming for older children and continuing with entertaining, educational programming for preschool aged children—it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Most are historic tracks done with producer Billy Sherrill." The official word:

Bandit Records will proudly release GEORGE JONES – AMAZING GRACE on September 10th, two days before what would have been Jones’ 82nd birthday. Jones, a partner in Bandit Records, recorded the gospel songs with producer Billy Sherrill in 2002 with the exception of one track, “Great Judgment Morning,” which was produced by Brian Ahern in 1994.

The song above was playing on satellite radio yesterday -- and identified as a forgotten hit from the '80s. Very odd, at least for me, since it's one of my favorite Elton songs. But listening to it again, I was struck by how much it resembles this tune:Similar vibe, some musical similarites.

I know, every generation seems to have its own "Romeo & Juliet." I was in high school when the Zeffirelli version arrived. Younger folk have Baz Luhrmann's. But, while this new version does not come to theaters until October, I am getting somewhat excited about it. Script by Julian Fellowes, for one thing. Juliet played by Hailee Steinfeld, who was so good in the Coens' "True Grit." Worth keeping watch for.

The CW will keep the laughs coming, giving its hit improvisational comedy series, WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?,a second season order of 24 all-new, half-hour episodes, it was announced today by Mark Pedowitz, President, The CW. The premiere date and time for the second season will be announced at a later date.

The show is at Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. The official word: Hugh Laurie Actor/Comedian:

James Hugh Calum Laurie is an English actor, comedian, writer, musician and director. He first became known as one half of the Fry and Laurie double act, along with his friend and comedy partner Stephen Fry, whom he joined in the cast of Blackadder and Jeeves and Wooster from 1987 to 1999.

The bride and I spent part of the weekend at Mountaineer, where I demonstrating my usual ability to lose at penny slots. Also on the agenda: lawn mowing, cleaning the family-room carpet, and other odds and ends. Of course, the TV news kept moving, especially with the Television Critics Association in progress. So here is one of the new items:

In ramping up its commitment to longform and event limited series programming along the lines of “A.D.: After the Bible,” which was announced last month, NBC is in early development on a handful of new projects, including a behind-the-scenes look at Hillary Rodham Clinton, an updated retelling of “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Stephen King’s Tommyknockers” and “Plymouth,” based on the epic story of the Mayflower’s landing in America.

To which many fans have said, "But I need you NOW." The official word:

Seven-time GRAMMY award-winning trio Lady Antebellum announced that their “Take Me Downtown” Tour with special guests Kip Moore and Kacey Musgraves is coming to Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena on Sunday, November 17th! Additional information, including ticket prices and the on-sale date, will be announced soon.

Expect a "Rocky Horror"-like audience event. Tickets are $12.50 and participating local theaters include the Montrose Movies 12 and Hudson Cinema 10. The official word: Up in the sky. It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s a…shark! A super-sized storm sucks sharks from the ocean and hurls them onto land in the Syfy cult classic "Sharknado," presented for one night in select movie theaters for a special Midnight showing by NCM Fathom Events and The Asylum on Friday, Aug. 2 (starting at 12:05 a.m. local time). [To be clear, that is late Friday night/early Saturday morning.]”Sharknado” premiered on Syfy on July 11, becoming an immediate worldwide sensation, generating nearly 5,000 tweets a minute. “Sharknado 2” will premiere on Syfy in July 2014.

Tickets for “Sharknado” are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. “Sharknado” appears on the big screen in more than 200 select movie theaters through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

It was about eleven o'clock in the morning, mid October, with the sun not shining and a look of hard wet rain in the clearness of the foothills. I was wearing my powder-blue suit, with dark blue shirt, tie and display handkerchief, black brogues, black wool socks with dark blue clocks on them. I was neat, clean, shaved and sober, and I didn’t care who knew it. I was everything the well-dressed private detective ought to be. I was calling on four million dollars. -- Raymond Chandler, "The Big Sleep"

I had Raymond Chandler in my head while watching "The Wolverine" not long ago. And Mickey Spillane. Maybe Spillane more than Chandler or Dashiell Hammett. But they were all there in this pulpy epic, often ridiculous (especially at the end) but still a terrific rebound from the wasted "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

The excellent film looks at sexual assault in the military. As I said after its DVD release, "The most painful parts are the stories by those raped; the most chilling is the afterword showing how some of their attackers have not only gone free but thrived. While the film was not widely seen, a viewing by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta led to immediate changes in policy."

The official word: Pedal For Heroes USA, Red Bird Trauma Recovery Center and the Rape and Crisis Center of Summit and Medina Counties will offer a free screening of the film, THE INVISIBLE WAR. A 2012 documentary, THE INVISIBLE WAR depicts sexual assault in the United States military.

The official word: What would you do if you were attacked, abducted, abused, your life suddenly in the hands of a cold-blooded criminal, and you are your only hope for survival? Investigation Discovery’s new series SURVIVING EVIL presents stories of victims who fought back against their attackers and, against all odds, survived. Recounted in each survivor’s own words, the series is an empowering and inspiring look at true-crime stories in which the victim turns the table on their assailant in order to stay alive.

Actress Charisma Carpenter, best known for her role as Cordelia Chase on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel, hosts the 10-episode series, providing viewers with a first-person point of view as the survivor of a near-fatal incident endured when she was 22 years old. The world premiere of SURVIVING EVIL debuts with Carpenter’s episode on Wednesday, August 28 at 10/9c, only on Investigation Discovery.

The Discovery series "Blood and Oil," which I wrote about here, has been taken off the air with two episodes remaining to be shown. Since there is no telecast date set for those two shows, the series clearly disappointed the network.

The official word: In recognition of their impressive haul of Emmy® Award nominations, this August FX will air marathons of its acclaimed miniseries American Horror Story: Asylum and season 3 of Louie.

American Horror Story: Asylum earned the most nominations of any program this year with 17. Major nominations for Asylum include Outstanding Miniseries or a Movie, Jessica Lange for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie, Sarah Paulson for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie, James Cromwell for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie, and Zachary Quinto for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie. FX will broadcast the entire miniseries over two nights: Chapters 1-7 on Friday, August 23 from 10:00pm ET/PT – 5:00am ET/PT and Chapters 8-13 on Saturday, August 24 from 11:00pm ET/PT to 5:00am ET/PT.

Above, a little bit of a groove to get you through Thursday. I know that people consider Wednesday the hump day, but Thursdays often feel worse; you've gone so far into the week, and you can see Friday right around the corner. In today's Beacon Journal, and on Ohio.com, my review of "Fruitvale Station," which I admired a great deal.

The official word: THE ARSENIO HALL SHOW reintroduces one of the signature elements of the original late-night series, The Posse, with an all new hand-picked group of musicians who have collectively played with legends spanning pop, soul, funk, hip hop, rock and R&B.

The official word: Combining epic scope with the intrigue of a small-town drama comes “Defiance”: Season One, the critically acclaimed action-packed tale of courage and survival. “Defiance”: Season One will be available to own on Blu-ray™ and DVD, each with Digital including Ultraviolet™with collectible lenticular packaging for a limited time only on October 15, 2013 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

The official word: FX launches the sixth season of its award-winning, top-rated drama Sons of Anarchy on September 10 at 10 PM ET/PT with a special 90-minute episode and will continue to run on Tuesdays at 10 PM. The series is an adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones that explores a notorious outlaw motorcycle club’s (MC) desire to protect its livelihood while ensuring that their simple, sheltered town of Charming, California remains exactly that, charming. The MC must confront threats from drug dealers, corporate developers, and overzealous law officers. Behind the MC’s familial lifestyle and legally thriving automotive shop is a ruthless and illegal arms business driven by the seduction of money, power, and blood.

The official word: CBS has partnered with Litton Entertainment, a leading independent production and distribution company, on a new Saturday morning programming block, premiering on the CBS Television Network, Saturday, Sept. 28.

Branded "The CBS Dream Team, It's Epic!" the three-hour FCC educational/informational compliant programming block will consist of six all-new high-definition half-hours with a pro-social message targeted to viewers 13-to-16-years-old and appealing to viewers of all ages.

On Monday night, I saw "Fruitvale Station," the acclaimed drama about the last hours of Oscar Grant, who while unarmed and under control was shot by a transit police officer in Oakland in 2009. I will have a review later of the film, which I greatly admired. And if you want to know more about the facts of the case and the movie's creative license, there is a detailed piece here. The piece has a spoilers warning on it, but I'm not sure how spoiler-y it really is; if you know the facts of the case, then you know where the movie, however tragically, is headed. The Oakland Tribune website also has a lot of stories about the real Grant case.

ABC Family has canceled "Bunheads," which is a huge disappointment. The series was very enjoyable, and star Sutton Foster was a legit heir to Lauren Graham in the presenting of the demanding dialogue of Amy Sherman-Palladino. I have not found much impressive on ABC Family, but this series was.

The fine actor and, based on my few brief meetings with him, nice guy had a blood clot in his lung, according to this report. A more detailed profile is here. Seeing Farina in a production made me give it more respect than I might have if he was not there; there was something cool about him, even if he could be tough and more than a little scary. He had been a cop in Chicago before turning to actiing, and it showed in his matter-of-fact authority.

Not that he was incapable of comedy; in fact, he was very funny in movies like "Get Shorty" and in the TV series "Buddy Faro," which was my favorite new show in Fall 1998, but didn't last long. You can find some of it on YouTube..

Chuck sent me a note overt the weekend saying he is doing OK after brain surgery performed Friday. He told one friend recently that "The good news is no long range damage to my voice or motor skills, at least not so far. ... Bad news is no apparent increase in math skills." He has posted a more general note to listeners here.

The official word: The hit summer CBS miniseries UNDER THE DOME will be released on Blu-Ray Disc and DVD on November 5, it was announced today during the “Under The Dome” panel with cast and producers at San Diego Comic-Con International 2013.

UNDER THE DOME, from Amblin Television and based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel of the same name, premiered on CBS with an average 13.53 million viewers, making it the most watched summer drama premiere broadcast on any network since 1992 (CBS's “2000 Malibu Road”).

The official word: “The Walking Dead,” the most watched drama in basic cable history, returns for another terrifying and exhilarating season on Sunday, October 13th at 9pm ET/PT. In this post-apocalyptic world, Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his band of survivors continue their ongoing struggle to survive the threat of walkers as well as the dangers that lurk among the living. A 16 episode season of the series which the The New York Post gave 4 stars, will air in two-parts with the first eight hours kicking off October 13th and returning February 2014 with the final eight episodes. Internationally, “The Walking Dead’ will return to audiences in 120+ FOX International Channels (FIC) markets the week of October 13th, as part of FIC continued commitment to broadcast the series near date-and-date globally. Following “The Walking Dead” will be the season premiere of AMC’s live after show, “Talking Dead,” hosted by Chris Hardwick at 10pm ET/PT. AMC's “The Walking Dead” is the first original cable series ever to end the broadcast TV season as the number one show in delivery for adults 18-49.

The official word: Hannibal: Season One, the new addictive series on NBC from Gaumont International Television that has audiences everywhere on the edge of their seats, will be available for the first time on Blu-ray Disc, DVD and Digital Download September 24 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. From Bryan Fuller, the co-creator of TV's "Wonderfalls" and "Pushing Daisies," David Slade, the director of Hard Candy and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and based on the novels of Thomas Harris, Hannibal: Season One delves into the complex mind of iconic villain Hannibal Lecter.

You can understand why. The official word, including charities accepting Monteith memorials:

In light of the tragic passing of beloved GLEE cast member Cory Monteith, the series’ executive producers, 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company have jointly decided to delay the start of production of GLEE until early August. Season Five of GLEE will now premiere on Thursday, Sept. 26 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. No further details are available at this time.

The official word: In a sure-to-be-classic episode of FAMILY GUY, two of the most iconic and revered families on television will come together when the Griffins end up in Springfield and meet the Simpsons. The FAMILY GUY episode will air in Fall 2014 on FOX.

“FOX hasn’t spent this much money since they took Simon Cowell tight T-shirt shopping,” said FAMILY GUY’s Peter Griffin.

The official word: DEXTER: THE COMPLETE FINAL SEASON and DEXTER: THE COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION will arrive on Blu-ray Disc and DVD November 5. ...

From Showtime Networks, CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Media Distribution, DEXTER: THE COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION includes all eight acclaimed seasons in an ultra-collectible recreation of the actual blood slide box used by Dexter Morgan to catalog his victims on the show. Also designed and included specifically for this collection, “Grafix: The Art of Dexter” is a collection of photography, fan artwork and iconography and images used in the series’ cutting edge promotional campaigns.

The offiicial word: The BEAUTY & THE BEAST – THE FIRST SEASON DVD will be released on October 1, it was announced today during a “Beauty & the Beast” panel with cast and producers at San Diego Comic-Con International 2013. Fans in attendance also received a sneak peek of the gag reel, which is included in the DVD collection from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Media Distribution.

In addition to all 22 episodes of the first season, the six-disc DVD collection boasts numerous deleted scenes and never-before-seen featurettes including:

If you haven't caught "Sharknado" yet, it's On Demand and repeating on Syfy tomorrow evening. The official word on the sequel: Which city will be attacked by flying sharks next? New York City! Following the spectacular worldwide social media frenzy around the July 11 premiere of Sharknado, Syfy today announced it will produce – Sharknado 2!

Sharknado 2 (working title), which will again be produced by The Asylum, is scheduled to premiere on Syfy in 2014.

The official word: TBS has picked up Twentieth Century Fox Television's animated hit American Dad! as an original series, beginning with the show's 11th season. Created by Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman, American Dad! will join TBS's primetime lineup in late 2014. Sister network Adult Swim is set to present encores of each episode after initial airings on TBS. American Dad!, which will begin its 10th season on the FOX television network this fall, is executive-produced by MacFarlane, Barker and Weitzman. TBS has ordered 15 episodes for season 11.

"American Dad! is a great fit for TBS, a favorite of comedy fans who like smart, irreverent humor with ample doses of biting wit and skewering satire," said Michael Wright, president, head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). "We look forward to welcoming Seth MacFarlane and the rest of his team as they bring this iconic show to TBS."

The series, nominally meant to show the challenges young mothers face, has instead turned its moms into celebrities,which Farrah Abraham in particular has not only relished but found really unwise ways to exploit. And all that attention has most likely made some young women think that motherhood is a path to fame. But here's the official word from the show:

MTV today announced that the emotionally-charged docu-series “Teen Mom 3” will premiere with two back-to-back episodes on Monday, August 26 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Viewers first met Alex, Briana, Katie and Mackenzie during season four of the groundbreaking series “16 and Pregnant,” where they captivated audiences as they faced the intense realities that come with being pregnant and having a baby at a young age. The new series chronicles their lives as they do their best to raise their children while struggling with increasingly difficult relationships, the pressures of balancing school and work, and trying to maintain a semblance of their teenage years.

"Major Crimes" has been doing some fine work in storylines about a young, formerly homeless man and the challenges he has faced since returning to the mainstream. But it was even better last night with a story about the murder of a transgender 13-year-old, which had been preceded by bullying and by her parents' battling over how to handle a transgender child.

It was a disturbing show, in many ways, but one that also showed a range of reactions -- and how the bullying of one child can affect the decisions made by another. More than worth your seeing and talking about.

... doesn't make you want to watch the concert discussed below, then I cannot think of another way to persuade you. Participating regional theaters include Regal Huds9on, Cinemark Tinseltown in North Canton and Cinemark Valley View.

The official word: Bringing the ultimate guitar concert featuring the most legendary guitarists in the world to select U.S. movie theaters, NCM Fathom Events and Crossroad Concerts LLC present “Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013” on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. (local time). This special, one-night event will feature the best performances and backstage access from Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival pre-recorded over two nights at Madison Square Garden this past April. Tickets for the live concert sold out within minutes of going on sale, but fans can experience one of the hottest events of the year from their local theater as Clapton gathers his most respected colleagues in the music industry for a jam session. The live concert and portions from the cinema event benefit the Crossroads Centre, a treatment and education facility for chemically dependent people, based in Antigua and founded by Clapton.

Online now, and in tomorrow's print editions, I talk with pioneering journalist (and college classmate) Robin Herman about women in sports journalism. ESPN is airing a documentary about the issue tomorrow night, and you should take a look. My story is here. Beacon Journal sports columnist Marla Ridenour offered her perspective, including some of her experiences, here.

The official word: The lines between magic, illusion and crime blur in the “exceedingly clever” (Entertainment Weekly) Now You See Me arriving on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD, Digital Copy and Digital UltraViolet), DVD (plus Digital UltraViolet), Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View September 3 from Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE company. Now You See Me will also be available for Digital Download August 30th, four days prior to the Blu-ray and DVD release. The Blu-ray Combo Pack features an Extended Director’s Cut of the film featuring 16 minutes of never-before-seen footage. Prepare to be amazed as “The Four Horsemen,” a super-team of the world’s greatest illusionists, pull off a series of daring heists while evading a squad of FBI agents and an Interpol detective trying to stop them before their most daring final trick! Directed by Louis Leterrier (Clash of the Titans), Now You See Me is a visually spectacular blend of astonishing illusions and exhilarating action starring Academy Award® nominees Jesse Eisenberg (Actor in a Leading Role, The Social Network, 2010) and Woody Harrelson (Actor in a Supporting Role, The Messenger, 2009) alongside Isla Fisher (The Great Gatsby) and Dave Franco (Warm Bodies) as the magicians known as “The Four Horsemen.” The film also stars Academy Award® winners Morgan Freeman (Actor in a Supporting Role, Million Dollar Baby, 2004) and Michael Caine (Actor in a Supporting Role, The Cider House Rules, 1999), plus Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers) and Mélanie Laurent (Beginners) as the law-enforcement team hot on their tails. The screenplay is by Ed Solomon and Boaz Yakin & Edward Ricourt, with a story by Boaz Yakin & Edward Ricourt,

The official word: Barbara Walters ended months of rumors and speculation this morning with her announcement that, after 17 appearances on ABC’s “The View,” eight as a guest co-host, Jenny McCarthy will join the popular talk show as a co-host this fall. The comedian/actress/host and best-selling author officially starts on Monday, September 9 (11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, ET), the kick-off to Season 17.

The mother of WKYC's Robin Swoboda has passed away; Robin had posted several times recently about her mother's failing health and this morning posted the following:

One of the funniest, sweetest women ever went to heaven this morning. Tamara Swoboda was the best mom I could have asked for and taught me so much about life and getting through anything with humor. I will miss you lil momma. Who will answer my turkey cooking questions now???

As I was getting ready to go to bed last night, I saw a news alert that a Zimmerman verdict was coming. I waited for it, and saw that he was found not guilty. It was a terrible, disappointing decision, one brought about by a horrible Stand Your Ground law, which allows for vigiliante justice -- selectively, of course, as this other case indicates.Anger and argument have greeted the decision, including on Facebook, where I've seen some nasty debates. My younger son, Conor, spoke eloquently about that:

This is the only thing I will post about the Zimmerman verdict then I am done. Whether or not you believe justice was served or a wrong committed, there is no excuse for some of the most hateful and obscene things I have ever read to be said on Facebook. Thankfully none of my friends have said these things, but just browsing around various groups to see what others have to say about it has sickened me. I will be the first to admit that I use obscenities frequently and make off colored jokes but will never use a trial verdict to flood the internet with post that can only be classified as hate speech. I never like playing the "veteran card" but all I can say is I served this country for nine months to defend the rights of all Americans, justified war aside or not, and will continue to defend them to my death. Just think about what you use your right to free speech to say before you say it because I am sickened by what I see and I weep for this country if this is what we are truly made of.

I've been away from the blog all day because of other tasks. (Sunday feature, check. Sunday DVD/Blu-ray column, check. Press conference, check. Phone interview, check. Story from the press conference, check.) I did Tweet a couple of times -- you can follow me at @rheldenfels. But here's one interesting item from the email, especially if like me you enjoy "Major Crimes":

Stars of the hit TNT series Major Crimes, as well as creator-writer-executive producer James Duff, will be live tweeting during next week's all-new episode. Fans will be able to ask questions and engage with the cast members about the episode and the series.

Here's my latest chat with Corbin Bernsen, who will be in Akron on Saturday for a promotional event at an Aeros game, deals with being Roger Dorn, collecting snow globes, the death of his mom (soap legend Jeanne Cooper) and the end of "Psych."

The official word: Lauded by critics as “a sleek, thrilling epic” (Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly), “a clever, exhilarating action adventure” (Claudia Puig, USA Today) and “stratospherically entertaining” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone), director J.J. Abrams’ phenomenal global sensation STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS makes its highly-anticipated debut on Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD and On Demand on September 10, 2013 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Fans can be the first to own the film on Digital when it arrives three weeks early on August 20th. Boasting “spectacular visual effects” (Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer) and “one of the best villains in recent memory” (Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News) STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS delighted audiences around the world, earning a coveted A CinemaScore.

Tonight's TV includes NBC's premiere of "Camp," a comedy drama starring Rachel Griffiths as the newly divorced operator of a "family camp" -- meaning one that houses parents as well as their kids. The series has more than a little "Meatballs" in it, but I was exhausted before the pilot was over and did not get to two other episodes NBC sent out. The strained attempts at being adult and sharp-witted don't fly.In short, go rent "Meatballs." As for "Camp," it just doesn't matter.

Roger Ebert was famously prolific and not even death has kept him from publishing. The new issue of Poetry magazine, available online, includes Ebert's contribution to a series called "The View from Here," where non-poets write about their feelings for the form. You can read Ebert's piece here. The entire issue of the magazine is here.

The official word: Talk show host Bethenny Frankel is set to travel across the country during the months of July and August gathering "her girls" to bring back to her New York studio to be in the audience during the premiere week of her nationally syndicated talk show, "bethenny," which premieres on Monday, September 9th.

In case you missed the acclaimed series on Sundance, the official word on a replay:

Starting Sunday July 14th at 9:00AM ET/PT AMC invites viewers to tune-in to a marathon of “Rectify”, which originally aired on their sister-network, Sundance Channel. The drama series created and written by Ray McKinnon, and executive produced by Mark Johnson and Melissa Bernstein, the award-winning team behind “Breaking Bad”. Viewers can catch up on the series that has been hailed by TV Guide’s Matt Roush as “TV’s most absorbing, unsettling new drama” and by The Daily Beast’s Jace Lacob as “quite simply, the best new show of 2013”.

The official word: Comedy Central stars Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, from the hit sketch comedy show “Key & Peele,” will co-host the 29th Annual Television Critics Association (TCA) Awards on Saturday, August 3, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, announced Candace Havens, TCA President.

As co-hosts of the non-televised TCA Awards, Key and Peele will kick off the invitation-only program with a monologue in their classic improv fashion. The awards presentation will then recognize the best television programming of the 2012-2013 season, as chosen by the top TV critics in North America. The TCA Awards honor actors and producers in a variety of categories, including news and information, youth, drama, reality and comedy.

The official word: TV One, which entertains, informs and inspires Black adult viewers, has announced the creation of News One Now, a live one-hour, weekday morning news program slated to premiere September 2013. Roland S. Martin, national award-winning journalist, will serve as host and managing editor of the program that will be a multi-platform experience on radio, television, and online.

The official word: Gerard Butler (300, Playing for Keeps), Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight) and Academy Award® winner Morgan Freeman (Best Supporting Actor, Million Dollar Baby, 2004) lead an all-star cast in Director Antoine Fuqua’s (Training Day) action-packed thriller OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN, debuting on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD with Digital UltraViolet™ August 13th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. When a terrorist mastermind kidnaps the president of the United States inside the White House, a disgraced former secret service agent must save the president and take down the invaders. Grossing approximately $100M at the box office, the film also stars Academy Award® nominee Angela Bassett (Best Actress, What’s Love Got to Do with It, 1993), Academy Award® nominee Robert Forster (Best Actor, Jackie Brown, 1997), Ashley Judd (Kiss the Girls), Academy Award® winner Melissa Leo (Best Supporting Actress, The Fighter, 2010), Dylan McDermott (The Perks of Being a Wallflower, TV’s “The Practice”), Rick Yune (The Fast and the Furious, The Man with the Iron Fists), and Radha Mitchell (Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, TV’s “Red Widow”).

The official word: PBS announced today a new format of HISTORY DETECTIVES to air in 2014. Comprised of four one-hour programs, HDSI—HISTORY DETECTIVES SPECIAL INVESTIGATION (w.t.), introduces the fresh perspective of a new detective and focuses on a single story per episode. The new episodes will air as part of a block of history programming and offer viewers a night of intriguing glimpses into our past.

Kaiama (ki YA ma) Glover will join forces with two veteran History Detectives, Wes Cowan and Tukufu Zuberi to collectively investigate each mystery from all angles. Glover is a professor at Barnard College, Columbia University, where she teaches literature of the French-speaking Caribbean and sub-Saharan West African cinema.

You can see my video review of the movie here. The official word: Experience F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece like never before when "The Great Gatsby" arrives onto Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download on August 27 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Directed by Oscar® nominee Baz Luhrmann, "The Great Gatsby" is the haunting American tale of a Midwestern writer who moves to New York and becomes entangled in the life of his captivating, wealthy neighbor.

The official word: The Lake County Captains, the Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, has announced that “The Sandlot 20th Anniversary Tour” will be coming to Classic Park on Friday, July 12. The Director and Narrator of the movie, David Mickey Evans, will serve as the host for the evening.

The Sandlot is an iconic coming-of-age film about a group of young baseball players in the summer of 1962. (RICH NOTES: A 20th-anniversary Blu-ray was released in March, and the July 8 issue of Sports Illustrated includes a "where are they now" piece on the cast.)

In case you have wondered who is involved in picking Oscar winners, the motion picture academy recently released a list of 276 people recently extended membership. Of course, this isn't the entire academy, which has more than 6,000 members. But it's a look at who has been added to the group -- including one man who has been banned from filmmaking in his country. And an analysis of the new membership is here.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 276 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy's membership in 2013.

It's coming. Here's the official word: From the first time the wildly-popular sketch “The Family” aired on “The Carol Burnett Show” in 1974, Vicki Lawrence has been followed by a buxom, blue-haired, purse-lipped, 65-year-old widow. This is, of course, Thelma Mae Crowley Harper, Lawrence’s indelible, abrasive and smart alecky alter ego who would eventually be spun-off into her own delightfully offbeat sitcom “Mama’s Family,” which debuted on NBC on January 22, 1983 and ran for six seasons.

This July, StarVista Entertainment/Time Life, in conjunction with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, invites all classic TV aficionados and sitcom lovers to spend some quality time with one of television’s original dysfunctional families with MAMA’S FAMILY: THE COMPLETE SERIES. Marking the first time the entire run of this fan-favorite series will be released to DVD, the set will initially be offered exclusively online, available for pre-order beginning July 26 for $199.95 at MamasFamilyDVDs.com

I hope you all have ways to enjoy the day. We are preparing for holiday eating and family gathered, and thinking of family members in other parts of the country and world. We are also thinking of Ruth Woods, my wife's mother, who passed away not long ago, and whose passing we marked yesterday.

I will be back with more regular blogging tomorrow. And the blogging is a reminder of how this job has changed in the years I have been doing it. While I went on the Beacon Journal payroll in late June of 1994, I think of Fourth of July weekend more as my work anniversary, since before then I had been filing remotely (by fax machine!) from my old home in Schenectady, NY. I came to work in Akron about this time in '94. I remember my first weekend coincided with the rib fest downtown. And on my way I went.

The official word: Christopher Nolan’s reimagining of the Batman franchise beginning with 2005’s “Batman Begins” enjoyed phenomenal critical and box-office success. Now on September 24, Nolan’s three Batman films – “Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight,” and “The Dark Knight Rises” – will be released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment as “The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector’s Edition”. The six-disc set will feature all three films with their existing extra content, two new featurettes and exclusive new collectible memorabilia. This must-own collection for fans of DC Comics’ Caped Crusader is available in premium packaging and will sell for $99.97 SRP.

The official word: The BIG BROTHER live eviction show, NCIS: LOS ANGELES and PERSON OF INTEREST are moving to new time periods beginning next week.

BIG BROTHER, which currently airs Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, will now be broadcast on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, with the live eviction show, hosted by Julie Chen, shifting to Thursday beginning July 11.

Still digging through email. (See note on previous post.) Here's one about the ESPYs and one of Akron's own:

Ben Affleck and LeBron James have been confirmed as presenters of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award and the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at The 2013 ESPYS Presented by Capital One. Affleck and James will join host Jon Hamm at the 21st annual celebration of the best moments from the year in sports being televised LIVE from Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Wednesday, July 17, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN HD.

I am still a bit out of the loop because of family matters. But in case you missed this announcement yesterday, here's the official word: TNT has ordered a fourth season of Falling Skies, the epic drama produced by DreamWorks Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg and starring Noah Wyle. Currently airing Sundays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), Falling Skies is averaging 5.8 million viewers in Live + 7 delivery and ranks as basic cable's #1 scripted series with adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 for the summer-to-date. TNT plans to launch the 10-episode fourth season in summer 2014.

Hallmark Channel is in a phase of true transformation to a much more diversified portfolio of family friendly entertainment that includes original movies and acquired series in addition to original primetime scripted series and a full original daytime line up. With so many talk show offerings in the daypart, particularly in broadcast syndication, Hallmark Channel has decided not to greenlight a second season of its Critics Choice Award nominated talk show, Marie, starring Marie Osmond. As the network examined and explored its work in daytime, we determined that the best direction for this daypart is to offer quintessential lifestyle service shows that inform and entertain our viewers with how to, tips and ideas for living their best lives. We also find these types of shows best serve today's demand for digital video.

The official word: OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is kicking off the network’s previously announced summer fling for soap fans with a marathon of back-to-back original half-hour episodes of The OnLine Network’s reprisal of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” on Monday, July 15.

The first three episodes of “All My Children” will air from 12:00-1:30 p.m. on July 15, with the third episode repeating at 1:30 p.m. Original episodes will then air daily at 1:00 p.m. beginning Tuesday, July 16.

The official word: The community that provided the movie backdrop for filming the blockbuster hit "The Shawshank Redemption" two decades ago will host a 20-year filming anniversary celebration this Labor Day weekend. Special events and tours of the actual locations where Shawshank was filmed are being offered in Mansfield, Ashland and Upper Sandusky, Ohio in order to mark the anniversary of the making of Shawshank. Slated for Aug. 30-Sept. 1, events are open not just to extras and crew who worked on the film, but also to the general public. Complete details are available at www.ShawshankTrail.com

Several of the film's stars are expected to attend the Shawshank Reunion Weekend this Labor Day, including Bob Gunton who received great acclaim for his incredible portrayal of the despicable Warden Norton.

Reports on the sale from Tribune-owned newspapers are here and here. One analysis is here. Greg Easterly, GM of WJW, did not comment, referring me instead to a Tribune spokesman.

The current ownership has moved WJW aggressively into more and more news, including a 4 p.m. hour beginning Monday. At the same time, though, this deal puts WJW back in a large and important station group for the first time in five years.

Digging through the email. The official word: The 2013-2014 season begins with the return of THE X FACTOR. Hosted by Mario Lopez, and featuring judges Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato, Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio, the hit music competition series will launch with a two-night season premiere event on Wednesday, Sept. 11 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Sept. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).